it's time for blue skies and sunshine

It is that time of year! I can see clear blue skies and beautiful blue waters in my immediate future! After the world's weirdest winter and a lot of fake spring time, I think we have finally hit the real deal. And let me say, it is about time! There are so many options for all the fun we are about to have.

Before fun, though, we have to play it practically. Two kinds of sunscreen have been purchased. Two kinds of bug spray have been purchased. We have already been sunburned, wind burned, and there has been ONE tick found and it's still only April. It can't all be fun and games, but I spent enough money on safety precautions so we can make summer as fun as possible. 

Life jackets will be required this summer on all activity lakes, activity ponds, and kayaks. Even though are kids are old enough now, you just never know and we want to play it safe and not sorry. There was some grumbling, but if you can't legally vote, then you don't get a family vote. Safety first! No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Fingers crossed that we make it safely to summer break without incident. We are so close! And then it's fun time! Here's to a summer full of fun, minimal sunburns, maximum water safety, NO ticks and loads of memories. This summer is simply about maxing, relaxing and making those memories before these kids get too old to want to have fun with their mamas 😀

18 summers- no more, no less

Trying to really embrace the concept of only 18 summers right now! She is growing too fast for me to comprehend, too fast for my heart to keep up. Every age and stage brings new challenges and new adventures. 11 is a good age for all the summer fun we have planned right now. I miss naps and her squeaky toddler voice, bathtime shenanigans, and baby snuggles, but now she can choose things, plan things and participate in all the fun things the adults like, too.

Just yesterday she asked how she can help me (I was doing paperwork-boo). I asked her to start the cookies. Low and behold, that kid cranked out 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies with minimal help on measuring or clean up! I finished what I was doing and had one less item on my to-do list. She had sense of ownership and responsibility AND math practice ;) She loves to bake and it was a good break in the rainy day.

18 summers of fun and adventure... We have been to Ohio, Michigan, Florida, zoos, camp trips, flights, day trips, baking days, pj days, no phone zone days, all the things you can think of. This summer is extra special because we have a few big camping trips planned and a family trip out of state. To say we make the most of our summers and our time together is an understatement. We squeeze it all in while still taking rest days, spa days and movie marathon days!

This summer's mother-daughter bucket list looks a bit different. She's been blessed and had many fun opportunities already, but I always let her choose 5 things to do each summer. This summer she has a summer baking day on her bucket list. So, sit around and cook and bake all day??? Basically, the cost of flour and whatever else she can come up with. Sounds good to me!

Here's to a safe and happy summer. Here's to memories and sunscreen and belly laughs that hurt. Here's to inside jokes and new recipes and amazing photos. Here's to #11. And the 7 that remain :(

pirates and memories

Nothing screams "camping trip in Michigan" quite like a pirate ship! Or maybe it doesn't?! We were able to drive a few hours away to Michigan for a quiet little camping trip. Minus parts of the drive through Chicago, it was a good drive with lots to see. Northern Illinois is so close to so many great vacation spots that a short drive is worth the haul.

Camping for this family is the usual: grilling, hiking, biking, games, and an outing of some sort. We hit up a lighthouse in a quaint little town and as we secured prime spots on the docks for pictures that were socially distanced, this pirate ship rolls past. It was huge and everyone did a collective gasp as they stared in awe.

Add this to the ice cream stand we found on the beach and it was a successful sightseeing outing from the campground. The beauty of Google is that you can stay in a rustic campground and feel tucked away from society, but still whip out your phone for a quick outing (and check the rising temperatures!).

I hope my daughter still embraces the nature first, low tech camping trips we have established as she grows up. There is nothing more bonding or refreshing as cold ice cream paired with silly giggles and nighttime smores over a roaring fire with campfire games. These are the memories that we are creating. These are the memories that will last. 

Not to mention all the life skills, cooking lessons, fire safety, and camping tips that we have taught her along the way. And, sometimes if you're lucky, you'll see the occasional pirate to top off a great, low key vacation. 

wise words while we are cooped up

One of my good friends posted this the other day and it gave me SO much to think about. My family is good during the quarantine. We are warm, healthy, fed, clean, and still all getting along! That's a lot to ask for, but we are managing this experience with creativity, grace,  and extra patience. 

Some things to think about before we start complaining... Not every kid is warm, safe, happy, and fed. Schools are giving out sack lunches, but not everyone is picking them up. Students have access to e-learning but they may be babysitting or stressed or unsure of what to do.

Some people lost work, some people gained work and others are working at home while navigating e-learning, cooking, cleaning, etc. Some people's lives are unchanged and some people's lives got rocked. Either way, as weird as it sounds we are all in this together.

I am trying to make sure that whatever happens, my family stays as strong as ever so that when we finally get re-released in the wild, we are helpful and respectful members of society and not reminiscent of wild animals. I want my daughter to remember this time in history when we banned together to learn new recipes, try new foods, experience new ways to communicate, work on schooling, and adjust expectations. I want these memories to remind her that together, we can do anything and we managed to stay IN the house for 5 weeks without bloodshed :) 

Now is a great time to work on smiles and memories, remembering the little things, and starting new traditions so that when your family does get a break from one another, they will have a whole new mindset and respect for one another!